CLOTHING
/ EQUIPMENT
Footwear
The advertising man's image of yachting - bikinis, blazers and flannels, cocktails on the after-deck - might exist somewhere, but if it is that image which has drawn you to yachting you are in for a surprise. The right clothing will have an enormous effect on your early sailing. Too little protection from wind and spray will quickly dampen your enthusiasm, while too many unnecessary layers will slow your movements and make you feel clumsy.
Even at the height of the British summer, when the beaches are crowded with sunbathers, the wind and spray will soon cool you down afloat. The right combination of jeans and sweater, topped off by a waterproof layer, will keep you comfortable. If your teaching establishment does not provide oilskins, you will be faced with a bewildering choice in the chandler’s shop.
The lightweight one-piece waterproof suit sold in most chandlers is fine for dinghy sailing. Choose a size, which allows you to move freely, without being too loose.
If your future sights are set on offshore cruising, you might prefer the combination of oilskin jacket and trousers. A jacket is easier to put on than a smock. If you are buying trousers, choose the chest-high ones with braces. They can be worn separately, and they provide an extra layer over the vulnerable area of chest, stomach and kidneys. The braces always ensure that they will stay up (something that cannot always be said for waist-high waterproof trousers with elastic waistbands). The disadvantage of this combination is that it is more cumbersome than the lightweight one-piece and so may restrict your agility.
If your yachting course is to be run using single-handed dinghies, a wetsuit may be provided for you by the school or center. Or you might be given details of where to hire one.
Wetsuits work by trapping a thin layer of water between the neoprene and your skin, which your body then warms up to a comfortable temperature. To work effectively, the wetsuit must be a good, snug fit. If you are buying, take time to choose one which does fit well or it won't work properly. In colder conditions it is sensible to wear a windproof jacket or a one-piece suit over your wetsuit, in order to reduce wind chill.
Soft-soled footwear is essential and, as the majority of sailing centers keep their boats ashore, shoes are preferable to boots which will invariably be shallower than the water into which you are launching. Boots can also fill with water when you capsize and make it more difficult for you to climb out of the water.
If the prospect of sailing around in soggy socks and plimsolls doesn't appeal to you, a pair of neoprene wet-socks will keep your feet warm.
The other end of the body mustn't be neglected. About a third of body heat loss is through the head, so wear a warm hat or balaclava.
On a warm sunny day all this advice may seem totally out of place, and all you'll want is a tee-shirt and shorts, but it won't take much cold salt water spray to remind you that it is advice born of experience.
